Safety device for tools



Apr. 3,1923.

. 1,450,323 J. E. MCGUIRE SAFETY DEVICE FOR TOOLS Filed Mar. 12, 1921 i NV EN TOR.

A TTORNEY.

Patented Apr. 3, 1923.

UNITED JAMES E. MCGUIRE, or CAMDEN, NEW JERSEY.

sAEE'rY DEVICE FOR moons;

Application filed March 12, 1921. Serial No. 451,726. I

ticular object thereof the provision of means whereby a tool may be secured to an inc-lined or vertical surface to'prevent its falling therefrom.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of this character which is normally completely concealed in the tool handle in order that the same may not in terfere with the proper and efficient use of the tool.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a device of this character which is of suflicient strength of structure to hold the tool sufficiently firmly to the surface to which it is attached to permit of the workman grasping the tool to support himself if he should slip.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent throughout the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown a preferred embodiment of my invention, and wherein like reference characters designate like parts throughout:

Figure 1 is a side elevation partially in section showing a saw having a device constructed in accordance with my invention employed for holding the saw in position upon an inclined surface;

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view taken through my device;

Figure 3 is a transverse sectional view therethrough, and

Figure 4: is afragmentary side elevation of a saw and the handle thereof showing my safety device applied to the handle.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, the numeral 10 indicates a casing adapted to be seated in a recess R formed in the handle of a tool T, the casing being provided with an enlarged portion 11 and having openings formed in the ends thereof for the reception of securing means 12 and 12 ception of the spike.

of the pivot point from the piercingpointf whereby the casing maybe heldin position,

the upper surface of the casing being flush' casing has pivoted therein, as at '13, a spike member 14 which is triangular in cross sec -tion and which normally has the outer face thereof flush with the upper surface of the casing, the casing beinggrooved for the re- At the o-ppositeside 14 of the spike the under surface of the spike is provided with a flattened portion 15,

and the upper surface thereof is'enlarged" to form 'a finger engaging portion 16'.

When the casing is mounted in the handle, a spring 17 is disposed beneath the casing Y and held in position by the securing means 12, and at its free end extending beneath and engaging the flattened portion 15 of the spike member 14 so that when the spike member is rotated about the pivot 13 thereof the flattened portion 15 of the spike engaging the spring deforms the same and accordingly when the finger engaging portion 16 is released, if the spike member is not engaged in any surface it will immediately return to its normal position concealed within the handle. This operation likewise takes place when the tool is removed from a place where it has been secured by the spike. In the use of the device, if the operator desires to secure the tool against slipping he presses his finger against the enlargement or finger engagement portion 16 so that the point of the spike 14 is separated from the side of the tool, as indicated by dotted lines in Figure 2., While held in this position the spike is readily engaged with any surface desired. Due to the peculiar shaping of the point, any strain placed upon the tool will tend to force the spikemore firmly into the surface.

From the foregoing it is believed to be obvious that I have constructed a safety device for use with a tool which is particularly well adapted for such use by reason of the fact that when not in use it is completely hidden within the handle of the tool and does not interfere in any manner with the operation thereof. It will furthermore be obvious that the construction as hereinabove set forth is capable 'of some change and modification without departing from the spirit of my invention and I accordingly do not limit myself to such specific structure except as hereinafter claimed.

with the surface of the tool handle, The" What I claim is:

l. The combination with a tool handle having a recess formed therein, of a pivoted spike member mounted in the recess, and yieldable means normally acting to throw said spike member to inoperative position with the upper face thereof flush with the surface of the tool handle.

2. The combination with a tool handle having a recess formed therein, of a casing mounted within the recess and substantially flush with the surface of the tool handle, a spike member pivoted within the casing, and a spring normally acting to throw said spike member to inoperative. position with the upper surface thereof flush with the upper surface of the casing.

3. The combination with a tool handle having a recess formed therein, of a pivoted spike member mounted in the recess, and yieldable means normally acting to throw said spike member to inoperative position with the upper face thereof flush with the surface of the tool handle, said spike member being tapered throughout its length and being triangular in cross section.

4. The combination with a tool handle having a recess formed therein, of a casing mounted within the recess and substantially flush with the surface of the tool handle, a spike member pivoted within the casing, and a spring normally acting to throw said spike member to inoperative position with the upper surface thereof flush with the upper surface of the casing, said spike member being tapered throughout its length and being triangular in cross section.

5. The combination with a tool handle having a recess formed therein, of a pivoted spike member mounted in the recess, means normally acting to throw said spike member to inoperative position in the recess, and a finger piece on the spike member for throwing the same to operative position against the action of the aforesaid means.

In testimony whereof I hereunto affix my signature.

JAMES E. MCGUIRE. 

